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Father demands justice over son’s death in Benue

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By Francesca Hangeior

Joseph Onminyi, the father of 19-year-old Peter Onminyi, who was allegedly killed by men from the Operation Zenda unit of the Benue State Police Command, has called for justice.

According to Onminyi, his son was killed in the presence of family members on May 19, 2024, around 8 pm while they were having dinner at their residence located at Welfare Quarters, Makurdi.

Speaking to journalists in Makurdi on Wednesday, the father of the deceased alleged that some policemen invaded their residence, shot his son dead, and took away his corpse.

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While crying out for justice, Onminyi demanded the immediate release of his son’s body for a decent burial according to Idoma’s traditional rites and customs.

He also demanded the immediate return of items taken from their house and access to their home, as they have been traumatised and are tired of sleeping outside.

The father, a retired civil servant, described his son as a complete gentleman and said that, to his knowledge, his son had not committed any offence that would have warranted his killing by the police in front of the family.

He said, “I am Mr. Joseph Onminyi, the father of the deceased, late Peter Onminyi, who was shot to death by the police on May 19, 2024, in my own house, not even outside.

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“No reason was given by the police for their actions. They didn’t ask or tell anyone about the offence he committed; rather, they just killed him while he was eating in the dining room.

“The police didn’t approach me, the father, or ask any of my children who were with me in the room what offence my son had committed. They just jumped over the fence, entered the house, and began shooting sporadically. They even shot at one of my sons, who was eating at the dining table.

“Not only that, after killing him, they took his body away and removed all the home properties, including a radio, refrigerator, washing machine, gas cooker and gas cylinder, as well as two motorcycles and everything else in the house.

“I think this action could be seen as armed robbery because they came unannounced, and nobody was informed of what they were there for. Whether they came to search for something or to investigate someone, they didn’t say anything; they just shot and killed my innocent child.

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“After killing him, the police took his body away to an unknown destination. Up to this moment, I don’t know where my son’s lifeless body is. Not only that, the police locked my house.”

He added, “They locked the entrance gate to my house. My house has been locked and the key withheld since the incident in May.

“My family and I have been sleeping outside our home in an uncompleted building. I therefore appeal to Nigeria and the entire world to come to my aid and address the police brutality against innocent citizens,” Onminyi stated.

While mentioning that he had filed a case for breach of human rights against the police, the deceased’s father accused the police of delaying the case in court.

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“They have refused to appear in court, which means the police believe they are above the law and can disregard the judicial process,” he said.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the State Command, SP Catherine Anene, said that the case involved someone suspected of kidnapping and armed robbery.

She said, “I am aware of the case, which involved a boy who was suspected of kidnapping. I think the police went there to arrest him, and during the process, one of the boys exchanged gunfire with the police, and in the process, he was killed.

“However, I am not sure of the name, but I will get back to you. This happened around the Welfare Quarters in the Makurdi area.”

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Katsina: Mob kills two siblings over alleged livestock theft

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A 35-year-old man, Gaddafi Isah, and Badamasi Isah, aged 30, have been beaten to death by a mob over the suspected theft of livestock at Katsayal village in the Sandamu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

A counter-insurgency expert focused on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, made this known in a post on his X handle on Monday.

According to him, intelligence sources revealed that the two victims had driven their father’s vehicle to the outskirts of the village to learn to drive.

He stated that, in the process of the practice, a mob approached and accused them of stealing livestock.

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He added that the mob surrounded the two men and beat them severely, causing them to sustain varying degrees of injuries.

“The victims were rescued by the security forces who were deployed to the scene and rushed to the Community Health Centre in Sandamu for treatment, but they were later confirmed dead by a medical doctor,” he posted.

He also disclosed that the vehicle the deceased victims were driving was also damaged during the attack.

He noted that the police had launched an investigation into the incident, and efforts were underway to apprehend the perpetrators responsible for the attack.

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When contacted, the spokesperson of the state police command, Abubakar Aliyu, did not respond to calls made to his telephone line.

A text message sent had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.

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Stray bullet from VIP convoy kills bystander in Abuja

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A tragic incident unfolded on the evening of Saturday, along the Bwari-Dutse Road in Abuja, where a shooting linked to a VIP convoy claimed the life of a bystander and left several others injured.

According to intelligence sources available to Zagazola Makama, the chaos began after a Daf Trailer Truck reportedly lost its brakes and rammed into five tricycles around 6:50 p.m., resulting in a deadly crash. Eight people were injured in the accident, and two later died from their injuries at Kubwa General Hospital.

As emergency responders and commuters grappled with the aftermath of the crash, a VIP convoy approached the gridlocked scene. Eyewitnesses reported that security personnel in the convoy began firing shots into the air, apparently in an attempt to clear the road.

Amid the confusion, a stray bullet hit Timothy John, a passerby from Dutse Baupma, in the chest.

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He was rushed to Kubwa General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The identity of the VIP or those responsible for the gunfire has not yet been disclosed, sparking public outrage and concern over the reckless actions of convoy security operatives.

Authorities have launched a full investigation into both the accident and the shooting, with the body of Timothy John taken for autopsy.

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Police foil robbery in FCT estate, nab two suspects

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Operatives of the Mabushi Division of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have foiled a robbery attempt at the Royal Court Estate, Jahi II, Abuja.

The operatives arrested two suspects following a gun battle.The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, March 27, at about 3:20 a.m. after a distress call was received.

Upon arrival, the police officers were engaged in a shootout by the robbers but eventually overpowered them with superior firepower.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, on Sunday, the suspects, Rabiu Jubril and Ibrahim Isa, both residents of Tipper Garage, Jahi—were arrested after a hot pursuit.

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Adeh said, “On March 27, 2025 at about 3:20 a.m., operatives of the Mabushi Division responded swiftly to a distress call reporting ongoing robbery at Royal Court Estate, Jahi II.

“Upon arrival at the scene, the police operatives were engaged in a gun duel by the hoodlums. However, the suspects were overpowered by the superior firepower of the police and attempted to flee with gunshot injuries.

“A hot pursuit ensued, leading to the arrest of two suspects—Rabiu Jubril and Ibrahim Isa, both residents of Tipper Garage, Jahi. ”

Adeh added that items recovered from the suspects include two locally made firearms, three suspected stolen vehicles— a black Toyota Matrix (Reg. No. NBS 348 CP), a black Toyota Venza (Reg. No. ABJ 105 AV), and a grey Lexus IS350 (Reg. No. RSH 295 CB).

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She stated that electronic devices such as two MacBook Pro laptops, a Lenovo laptop, an iPad, a PS4 gaming console, a Canon IP1224 camera, and a drone camera were also recovered.

“The suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations, ” Adeh added.

Adeh said the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ajao Adewale, urged residents to adopt proactive security measures, especially by installing tracking devices in their vehicles to aid recovery efforts in case of theft.

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